Manchester City goalkeeper James Trafford is closing in on a £40m move to Leeds United, a fee that would make him one of the most expensive goalkeepers in history and put him in line for regular first-team football. The switch raises the question of whether the 23-year-old could eventually challenge Jordan Pickford, who at 34 by Euro 2028 remains England's long-serving number one, for the international starting spot.

Trafford's club career has been turbulent: after joining Burnley from City's academy for £15m in 2023, he initially struggled before excelling during their 2024-25 promotion season, prompting a £27m return to City. He then lost out to summer signing Gianluigi Donnarumma, limiting him to just four Premier League appearances last season. A move to Leeds would take total fees spent on him to £82m, but he has only 32 top-flight appearances to his name, while Pickford remains firmly first choice after starting every England World Cup game bar one this summer, surpassing Peter Shilton's tournament appearance record.